Category Archives: Opera Review

G�tterd�mmerung MetHD Review – Conclusion of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle

Posted on February 20, 2012 by philip

It seemed like old home week as I settled into my comfortable seat at Cin�Arts @ Palo Alto Square Theatre at 8:55 AM Saturday morning, February 11, 2012 to begin six hours of immersion in wonderful music and cosmic story-telling. Sara, Letha Ann, Bruce, and Ellen were with me, as they had been for most of the first three installments of The Ring of the Nibelung: Das Rheingold, Die Walk�re, and Siegfried. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Gotterdammerung, MetHD, Ring, Wagner | Leave a comment

La Traviata Part 1 – A Thrilling Rendition of an Old Favorite

Posted on February 15, 2012 by philip

Our church service each Sunday includes a section called “Caring and Sharing” at which we are invited to share our “Joys and Sorrows”. Well, what happened to me after the service last Sunday, February 12 2012 was both a Joy and a Sorrow. The Joy was seeing and hearing Rebecca Davis as Violetta in Opera San Jos�’s production of La Traviata Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged La Traviata, Opera San Jose, Traviata, Verdi | Leave a comment

Il Trittico Review – Three Operas for the Price of One

Posted on February 11, 2012 by philip

On Sunday, February 5, 2012, and again on Tuesday I saw my second complete Il Trittico and I was reinforced in two of my opinions. One, that Puccini’s three one-acts are even better taken as a whole, and two, that an ROH production with Conductor Antonio Pappano and Stage Director Richard Jones will be first rate. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged European HD, Gianni Schicchi, Il Tabarro, Il Trittico, Puccini, Suor Angelica | Leave a comment

The Enchanted Island Review – A Baroque Pastiche

Posted on January 28, 2012 by philip

You won’t find The Enchanted Island listed in any opera book published previous to this year, because the World Premiere was three weeks ago on New Year’s Eve, 2011-12. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Enchanted Island, Handel, MetHD, Rameau, Sams, Vivaldi | Leave a comment

2011 Review – and a look ahead to 2012

Posted on January 16, 2012 by philip

As I look back over my first full year of publishing opera reviews in SPLASH Magazine, January seems like a good time to reflect on some of the operatic highlights of the past year. It came as something of a shock to me Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Boheme, Capriccio, Comte Ory, Count Ory, Heart of a Soldier, Idomeneo, Iphigenia, Iphigenie en Tauride, La Boheme, La Voix Humaine, Le Comte Ory, Marriage of Figaro, Ory, Rigoletto, Ring, Rodelinda, Satyagraha, Tosca, Trovatore | Leave a comment

Hansel & Gretel Preview and Review

Posted on January 1, 2012 by philip

Hansel & Gretel Preview – D�j� vu all over again

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Hansel and Gretel, Humperdinck, MetHD | Leave a comment

Faust Review – A Morality Play for the Atomic Age

Posted on December 14, 2011 by philip

The visual part of the opera begins before the curtain goes up. A much-larger-than-life photograph of a woman’s head is displayed in the center of the curtain. In black-and white, slightly impressionistic, with haunting eyes staring directly at you. In complete repose, but not static. The eyes may close; the angle may shift. It is always there, whenever the curtain is about to open. It is, of course, the face of Marina Poplavskaya in her role as Marguerite. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Faust, Gounod, MetHD | Leave a comment

Rodelinda Review – Fleming’s Handle on Handel

Posted on December 12, 2011 by philip

Ren�e Fleming is everything. She is a great actress with a beautiful soprano voice; she is a wonderful hostess Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Handel, MetHD, Rodelinda | Leave a comment

Siegfried MetHD – A Star is Born

Posted on November 22, 2011 by philip

The advance program said that Gary Lehman would sing the part of Siegfried and listed Jay Hunter Morris as his cover. A week before opening night, Lehman was forced to cancel for health reasons, and Morris took over the role with only one dress rehearsal left before opening night. He is certainly a quick learner. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged MetHD, Siegfried, Wagner | Leave a comment

Satyagraha – Philip Glass’ monumental tribute to Gandhi

Posted on November 19, 2011 by philip

I approached Satyagraha at 10:00 A.M. this morning, Saturday November 19, 2011 with great anticipation – and the performance I witnessed exceeded my highest expectations. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged Glass, MetHD, Satyagraha | Leave a comment